(19)
(11) EP 0 247 741 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
02.12.1987 Bulletin 1987/49

(21) Application number: 87303891.3

(22) Date of filing: 30.04.1987
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4B61B 11/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT CH DE ES FR GB IT LI SE

(30) Priority: 01.05.1986 GB 8610661

(71) Applicant: MORGANITE CANADA INC.,
Toronto M4A 1H7 Ontario (CA)

(72) Inventor:
  • MacFarlane, William Edward
    Scarborough Ontario M1N 1Z6 (CA)

(74) Representative: Weston, Robert Dale et al
c/o PHILLIPS & LEIGH 7 Staple Inn High Holborn
London WC1V 7QF
London WC1V 7QF (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
     
    Remarks:
    The title of the invention has been amended (Guidelines for Examination in the EPO, A-III, 7.3).
     


    (54) T-bar for a ski lift


    (57) A 'T' bar is provided which is formed as one piece from polyurethane or other material, moulded about a connecting insert, the seat having a ribbed surface.




    Description


    [0001] This invention relates to a 'T' bar for use on a ski drag.

    [0002] Ski drags are installations at ski slopes comprising a driven endless belt or wire carrying 'T' bars on spring linkages at intervals along the belt or wire. In use a skier takes a 'T' bar and places it so that the shaft of the 'T' bar lies between the legs of the skier and the cross-pieces of the 'T' bar lie behind the legs of the skier forming a seat. The skier is then dragged in upright posture up the slope on his skis.

    [0003] At present 'T' bars are constructed of sub-components made of wood, metal or plastics materials which are fastened together to form the 'T' bar. Such 'T' bars often break. Ingress of water between sub-components can be a factor in such failure.

    [0004] The applicants have realised that existing design faults can be overcome by using a unitary construction. Accordingly this invention provides a 'T' bar of unitary construction. Advantageously the 'T' bar may be moulded of plastics material e.g. polyurethane. The plastics material may be protected from ultra-violet light-induced degradation by admixture of carbon black or other inhibitors.

    [0005] In a preferred form the 'T' bar may be made by integrally moulding plastics material about a connecting insert, for attachment of the 'T' bar to the ski drag.

    [0006] Advantageously the 'T' bar cross-pieces (which form a seat in use) are ribbed transversely to their length to assist skiers in stabilising themselves when being dragged up a ski slope.

    [0007] The invention is illustrated by way of example only in the drawings in which:-

    Fig. l shows a 'T' bar in front elevation; and

    Fig. 2 shows the 'T' bar of Fig. l in side elevation.



    [0008] The 'T' bar l is made of polyurethane material containing 0.5% by weight of carbon black and 0.25% by weight graphite as an ultra-violet degradation inhibitor. The polyurethane material is a dense polyurethane which is gravity poured into moulds and thermally set. A two part system comprising curative and pre-polymer is used. The curative (UNICURE M - Trade Mark of Uniroyal Limited) is used as a curative for diamine types of liquid pre-polymer. The pre-polymer (ADIPRENE L325 - Trade Mark of Uniroyal Limited) is a polyether based liquid urethane polymer which in its uncured form contains a small amount (about 5 per cent) of free toluene di-isocyanate. The combination of curative, pre-polymer, and carbon black/­graphite inhibitor sets on curing to give a polyurethane of high tensile strength, hardness and abrasion resistance and low compression set.

    [0009] Typical properties of set ADIPRENE L325 are:-



    [0010] The 'T' bar comprises a shaft 2 and cross-pieces 3; the cross-pieces 3 forming a seat which has ribbing 4 to assist in stabilising a skier. At the end of the shaft 2 remote from the cross-pieces 3 is a connecting insert 5 (in this embodiment a threaded rod insert) for connecting the 'T' bar to the ski drag.


    Claims

    1. A 'T' bar for use on a ski drag, characterised in that the 'T' bar is of unitary construction.
     
    2. A 'T' bar as claimed in claim l in which the 'T' bar in of plastics material integrally moulded about a connecting insert.
     
    3. A 'T' bar as claimed in claim 2 in which the plastics material contains an inhibitor to protect against ultra-violet light-induced degradation.
     
    4. A 'T' bar as claimed in any preceding claim in which the cross-pieces of the 'T' bar form a seat having a ribbed surface.
     




    Drawing







    Search report